Al4 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Dec., 1902. 
and a repetition of hot waves from the West caused considerable damage to the crop, 
especially about Roma, where, in some cases, practically the entire crop of grapes 
was destroyed. 
Generally speaking, the densities of musts were high this season. At Roma I 
tested a must of the so-called Riesling which was as high as 32 degrees; a B. 
Hermitage, 28°5 degrees; a Verdeilho, 26 degrees; and Palomino, 24 degrees. 1902 
wines should, therefore, turn out of excellent quality, so far as heavy wines are 
concerned. 
In my last report I suggested that an Act similar in character to the Victorian 
Wine Adulteration Act was required in Queensland to check the sale of fictitious 
“wine,” which is concocted and sold by some unscrupulous people to the harm of 
the consumer. My suggestion met with opposition from some winemakers on 
unsubstantial grounds. I would point out to our winemakers that to oppose an 
Act requiring wine to be made from grape juice is to play into the hands of their 
unscrupulous competitors to their own damage. 
E. H. RATINFORD, Viticulturist. 
REPORT OF THE TOBACCO EXPERT. 
During the past year a protracted and severe drought has prevailed throughout 
the tobacco-growing districts of Texas and Inglewood. These are the only districts 
where tobacco is now grown in this State. 
The drought has caused a heavy falling off in the acreage, and also a large 
decrease in the yield per acre, which is usually a }-ton, The intended crop was about 
1,000 acres, an increase of 25 per cent. over the preceding year, but only one-fourth 
of the intended area was planted, and about one-fifth of the proposed crop was 
harvested. The crop of 1900-1 has been sold at an average of about 6d., and the crop 
of 1901-2 at 8d. to 9d. perlb. at the sheds. Since federation we cannot determine the 
amount of the home-grown product consumed in this State, as compared to the 
imported consumed, but have every reason to believe that the locally-grown has 
continued to increase in popular favour. . 
Our experience at the Experimental Farm this year, with what is known as 
Burley tobacco, mentioned in last year’s report, has shown that it will not stand the 
drought and hot winds, as every plant transplanted died; but it is a valuable variety, 
producing a very valuable tobacco in seasonable years. At the farm, we transplanted 
about 16 acres, and replanted much of it, but we were only able to keep alive about ~ 
7 acres, and that was planted early in the season; and from this we have harvested 
about 2} tons of tobacco which, being cut late, has not at this time been fully cured, 
but bids fair to be a good, serviceable tobacco. 
If the coming year is seasonable, there will be a large increased acreage in 
tobacco, as the demand from the manufacturers of the other States is greatly in 
excess of what we have, so far, been able to produce, and at highly remunerative prices. 
This industry in the State bids fair to become a most important and lucrative one, 
R. 8. NEVILL, Tobacco Expert. 
REPORT OF THE INSTRUCTOR IN COFFEE CULTURE. 
"The year for coffee has on the whole been satisfactory. The drought has only in 
one instance had any deleterious effect, and that in Central Queensland and on a 
young clearing not kept in as good a state of cultivation as might be. The cropping 
seasons have on the whole been somewhat earlier this year than usual, and the crop 
itself has been heayy and fairly good. 
The drier seasons generally are to the advantage of this staple, and though the 
bean may, in some instances, be smaller, the quality (i.¢., strength, liquor, and aroma, 
&e.) is improved. he only weak point of the Queensland coffees—and this is only 
a weak point in comparison with its other high qualities—its “ body ” or.strength of 
liquor, is showing marked and decided improvement each year. J am of opinion that, 
as the trees and estates age, this quality in the Queensland coffees will naturally 
steadily improve, and that it will shortly prove as high in this as it has shown itself 
to be in every other qualification necessary to ensure its ready appreciation on the 
